Snetterton Day one race report – Honda Racing UK
The Norfolk circuit provided great conditions for Saturday's action, with all four Honda Racing UK riders looking to convert strong qualifying performances into solid championship points.
Quattro Group British Supersport Championship Race
Quattro Group British Supersport Championship Race
Jack Kennedy secured a front-row start for this opening Supersport sprint race after qualifying second, while teammate Dean Harrison lined up fourth to give Honda Racing UK two riders on the first two rows of the grid.
Jack and Dean were at the mercy of torque rich competition off the line, both riders were consumed by the pack and settled into sixth and seven position on track. It wasn’t for long though, once the race found a rhythm, Jack moved through the field and by lap four had settled into third position. A braking incident caused Jack to wash the front away, leaving him with no option but to sit out the remaining six laps on the tyrewall. Dean Harrison meanwhile, locked into a battle for fifth. When a 900cc Yamaha crashed in front caused Lee Johnston on the 765cc triple to momentarily look elsewhere, Dean took forth position and carried it to the finish line.
Jack Kennedy
I’m disappointed with the outcome of that race. Dean an I started pretty well but it didn’t feel like it when we were surrounded by bikes with so much more torque. Once I started moving through the pack I was comfortable with the pace and was closing the gap to the bikes in front, but was forced to over ride the bike on the brakes and the bike went down. We’ll have a think about any changes we can can make overnight that might benefit us and I’ll start the race tomorrow from P2.
Dean Harrison
It took a lap or so to settle out there. Start aside, the track felt greasy and I wasn’t ready to push immediately like I needed to. I was able to carry good corner speed and made that work to my advantage, but it was difficult when some of the larger capacity bikes were in the way mid corner but then out drove on the way out. I was able to piece together consistent laps and kept sharp all the way to the flag, seizing the chance to pass Lee and the Triumph. I’ll keep doing what I’m doing and chipping away at the championship.
British Superbike Championship – Race One
Following an encouraging qualifying session, Ryan Vickers started the opening British Superbike race from ninth on the grid, while teammate Jason O'Halloran lined up 13th. An incident on lap one meant a red flag and a restart.
Both riders targeted strong points finishes around the fast and flowing 2.97-mile Snetterton 300 circuit. The race that followed was one of attrition, with multiple engine failures. By lap seven, Ryan was comfortably holding sixth and Jason was tenth. A retired Bimota on lap eleven promoted both Honda Racing UK riders a position each. Ryan Vickers found pace that allowed him to rapidly close on Leon Haslam ahead of him until a red flag brought a premature end to the race.
Ryan Vickers
We’ve managed to make the front end feel good, I think the best I’ve had it all year. This allowed me to pass on the brakes a lot easier than usual and I used that to my advantage. A lack of edge grip held me back mid corner though and I was forced to hold when I wanted to the bike to drive. I’ll take fifth place and the points and hope to keep moving forward tomorrow.
#22 Jason O'Halloran
I scored my best result of the year today and that’s testament to the work the boys have put in with the bike as much as anything. We’re all committed to seeing success with the bike and will keep pushing until we have the breakthrough we deserve. We’re pushing in the garage and we’re pushing on track, I’m certain we can improve our results.
